Decision 2014: Following the Money

Jackson County, Ore. -- The big spender in the Jackson County 2014 May election is no on measure 15-119. According to the Oregon Secretary of States website, the campaign "Good Neighbor Farmers raised more than $926,000 dollars in contributions, spending more than $907,000.

On the other side, those supporting the GMO ban, "Our Family Farms Coalition" and "GMO Free Jackson County" raised $481,000 thousand, spending $457,000.

But some voters said the money is not making up their minds. Voter Mike Marble said "unfortunately on TV a lot of that is slanted because their is so much money to slant it in one direction or another. "Neither side has particularly addressed what I was interested in and I felt both sides were making maybe not unsupported claims but claims that weren't the important matter anyway," said voter Larry Crain.

In the highly contested Jackson County Sheriff's, one candidate has brought in a lot less money than the others. Incumbent, Sheriff Mike Winters' campaign shows just over $5,000 dollars in contributions. He's spent only about $3,200. Ashland Deputy Chief Corey Falls' campaign contributions are almost five times that of Winters, adding up to just over $30,000, spending nearly $27,000. And Jackson County Sheriff Lieutenant Bob Sergi's campaign received over $27,000, spending a little more than $21,000.

Money aside, voters said they're ready to make their voices heard. Voter Mike Marble said "I would kind of like to see some changes here in the county and that's the only way to make it happen."

In the Jackson County Sheriff's race, if one candidate gets 50% plus one vote they will move on to the November ballot uncontested. If not, the top two will run against each other.